Gas control beer dispenser

ABSTRACT

The gas control beer dispenser of this invention comprises a frame, a carriage slidably carried in the frame, a latching servomechanism disposed in the frame, a gas valve and a fluid valve actuated by travel of the carriage with respect to the frame. The frame includes a substantially U-shaped plate providing a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall to the frame, and including an enclosure plate fastened to the lowermost terminal ends of the U-shaped plate. The carriage includes a pair of carriage bolts disposed rectilinearly through holes in the frame and disposed substantially parallel to the enclosure wall, an upstandingly transversely disposed plate fastened to the forwardmost terminal ends of the carriage bolts, and an urging means operable to urge the carriage rearwardly with respect to the frame. The latching servomechanism includes an upwardly directed bellows provided with pressure through a by-pass conduit from a suitable source mounted to the bottom wall of the U-shaped plate by means of a servomechanism frame, a downwardly directed urging spring, and an upstanding rod-like plunger operable to engage a suitably disposed dog fastened to the carriage bolts. The gas valve includes a rigid conduit fastened forwardly to the rearward wall of the U-shaped plate. The rigid conduit includes a closure at its midpoint and holes disposed on either side of the closure, and is provided with a pair of nipples fastened at each of its terminal ends. The rigid conduit is covered by a flexible resilient conduit fastened to the rigid conduit and a conduit closure means, which may be a roller, fastened rearwardly distally from the carriage plate on a stem operable to position the roller over the rigid conduit closure. The fluid valve includes a flexible resilient conduit substantially the same length as the distance between the rear wall and the plate when the carriage is in its forwardmost position and fastened by means of nipples to the rear wall of the U-shaped bracket and to the carriage plate.

United States Patent 1191 Salmonson 1 11 3,744,680 1451 July 10, 1973 GAS CONTROL BEER DISPENSER Vernon C. Salmonson, 530 Second Avenue South, New Rockford, N. Dak. 58536 Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 209,723

[76] Inventor:

U.S. Cl 222/399, 251/5, 137/212 Int. Cl B65d 83/00 [58] Field of Search 222/195, 372, 373,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1970 .lohnston.'.....'.. 222/4007 11/1964 Johnston... 137/212 11/1968 Johnston ..222/400.7

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerJoseph J. Rolla AttorneyJohn W. Kraft [5 7] ABSTRACT ends of the U-shaped plate. The carriage includes a pair of carriage bolts disposed rectilinearly through holes in the frame and disposed substantially parallel to the enclosure wall, an upstandingly transversely disposed plate fastened to the forwardmost terminal ends of the carriage bolts, and an urging means operable to urge the carriage rearwardly with respect to the frame. The latching servomechanism includes an upwardly directed bellows provided with pressure through a bypass conduit from a suitable source mounted to the bottom wall of the U-shaped plate by means of a servomechanism frame, a downwardly directed urging spring, and an upstanding rod-like plunger operable to engage a suitably disposed dog fastened to the carriage bolts. The gas valve includes a rigid conduit fastened forwardly to the rearward wall of the U-shaped plate. The rigid conduit includes a closure at its midpoint and holes disposed on either side of the closure, and is provided with a pair of nipples fastened at each of its terrninal ends. The rigid conduit is covered by a flexible resilient conduit fastened'to the rigid conduit and a conduit closure means, which may be a roller, fastened,

rearwardly distally from the carriage plate on a stern operable to position the roller over the rigid conduit closure. The fluid valve includes a flexible resilient conduit substantially the same length as the distance be tween the rear wall and the plate when the carriage is in its forwardmost position and fastened by means of nipples to the rear wall of the U-shaped bracket and to the carriage plate. 1

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PMENTED 3.744.680

SHEET 1 (IF 4 FIG. I

VERNON c. SALMONSON INVENTOR.

PAIENIEB JUL 1 0191s SHEET 2 0F 4 TEL! U FIG. 2

FIG. 3

VERNON C. SALMONSON JNVENTOR.

mminwu 3.744.680

SHEEI 3 0f 4 VERNON Q SALMONSON INVENTOR- Eva M GAS CONTROL BEER DISPENSER FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to automatically controlled dispensing apparatus and more particularly to the flow of fluid from a pressure-actuated fluid supply container, when the gas supply cylinder is depleted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In beer dispensing and the like, liquid is forced from a container, such as a beer keg, by means of an auxilary cylinder containing carbon dioxide under pressure. When the carbon dioxide in the cylinder is depleated, liquid is no longer discharged from the container. However, with effervescent liquids, such as beer gas, carbon dioxide is liberated by the fluid, and is operable to force fluid out of the beer keg. Prolonged use of gas discharged from the beer causes the beer to lose its effervescence, and the beer is said to 'go flat."

Apparatus operable to stop dispensing fluid, such as beer, which depends upon pressure for dispensing have commonly employed complex mechanical and electrical mechanical apparatus. Generally, this type of controlapparatus employs a regulator disposed in the gas conduit in combination with an electrically driven cylinoid valve. Such control apparatus is limited by the del icate nature of the electrical circuits and of the cylinoid actuated valve. Such dispensers are expensive to construct and maintain.

Other apparatus operable to stop the flow of carbon dioxide gas into a beer container and of fluid out of a beer container when the supply of gas is depleted include pinch valve apparatus. Pinch valves employ a diaphragm connected to the gas supply cylinder, a plunger fastened to the diaphragm, and a spring operable to act against the diaphragm. When pressure is depleted, a suitably disposed flexible resilient conduit disposed in the pinch valve is caused by the spring and plunger to collapse the tube thus stopping the flow in the conduit. Generally, these have been unsatisfactory as gas control apparatus because gas flow and fluid flow must be stopped simultaneously. Means for simultaneously actuating pinch valves require complex by-pass arrangements in the gas supply conduit. Particularly with re spect to the gas supply conduit, closure of the gas conduit must be as complete as possible. Generally, pinch valves are not operable to completely close the gas sup: ply conduit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for stopping gas supply flow and fluid flow from a container, such as a beer keg, which employs a simple arrangement of mechanical elements.

It is a further object of this invention to provide gas control means which'are simple to fabricate, operate and maintain.

It is another object control means which simultaneously close the gas supply'conduit and the fluid supply conduit.

It is an object of this invention to provide closure means in the gas supply conduit which employ mechanically simple apparatus which are operable to close the gas supply conduit completely.

These and other objects shall become apparent from the description following, it be understood that modifi:

of this invention to provide gas cations may be made without affecting the teachings of the invention here set out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, the gas control beer dispenser of this invention comprises a frame, a carriage slidably carried in the frame, a latching servomechanism disposed in the frame, a gas valve and a fluid valve actuated by travel of the carriage with respect to the frame. The

frame includes a substantially U-shaped plate providing a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall to the frame, and including an enclosure plate fastened to the lowermost terminal ends of the U-shaped plate. The carriage includes a pair of carriage bolts disposed rectilinearly through holes in the frame and disposed substantially parallel to the enclosure wall, an upstandingly transversely disposed plate fastened to the forwardmost terminal ends of the carriage bolts, :and an urging means operable to urge the carriage rearwardly with respect to the frame. The latching servomechanism includes an upwardly directed bellows provided with pressure through a by-pass conduit from a suitable source mounted to the bottom wall 'of the U-shaped plate by means of a servomechanism frame, a downwardly directed spring, and a upstanding rod-like plunger operable to engage a suitably disposed dog fastened to the carriage bolts. The gas valve includes a rigid conduit fastened forwardly to the rearward wall of the U shaped plate. The rigid conduit includes a closure at its midpoint and holes disposed on either side of the closure, and is provided with a pair of nipples fastened at each of its terminal ends. The rigid conduit is covered by a flexible resilient conduit fastened to therigid'conduit and a conduit closure means, which may be a roller, fastened rearwardly distally from the carriage plate on a stem operable to position the roller over the rigid conduit closure. The fluid valve includes a flexible resilient conduit substantially the same length as the distance between the rear wall and the plate when the carriage is in its forwardmost position and fastened by means of nipples to the rear wall of the U-shaped bracket and to the carriage plate.

A more thorough and comprehensive understanding may be had from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the drawings forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. is a side elevational view of the gas control beer dispenser of this invention showing the interior configuration thereof and showing the carriage of the apparatus in its rearward closed position.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken. along the lines 3-3 of the FIG. 1 showing the interior configuration of the gas'control beer dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the lines 4-4 of the FIG. 2 and drawn to a larger scale showing the interior configuration of the pressure latch of'the carriage assembly, and showing the plunger in its extended position and, thus, engaging the dog and retaining the carriage assembly in the forwardmost cocked position as distinct from the rearward closed position shown in the FIG. -1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of the FIG. 3 showing the interior configuration of the beer control valve.

FIG. 6 is across-sectional view taken along the lines 66 of the FIG. 3 showing the interior configuration of the gas control valve.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the gas control beer dispenser of this invention connected to a gas cylinder and a beer keg in combination with a commonly known beer tap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to the FIG. 1, the gas control beer dispenser of the present invention is shown to advantage and identified by the numeral 10. The gas control beer dispenser 10 comprises a frame 11, a carriage assembly 12 and a valve assembly 13. The frame 11 is a substantially upstandingly disposed rectangular solid plate. The frame 11 includes a substantially U-shaped front and rear plate 14 and a top enclosure plate 15 fastened between the uppermost terminal ends of the legs of the U- shaped plate 14.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage assembly 12 is carried on the frame ll. The carriage assembly 12 includes a pair of bolts 16 and 16' and an upstandingly transversely disposed plate 17. Each of the bolts 16 and 16 are slidably carried in suitable holes disposed midway in front and rear legs of the U-shaped plate 14. Each of the bolts 16 and 16' is provided with a rearwardly directed urging means, such as springs 18, disposed on the bolts 16 and 16' rearwardly between the heads of the bolts 16 and 16' and the rearwardmost leg of the plate 14. The plate 17 is fastened by means, such as nuts 20, to the forward end of the bolts 16 and 16. The forwardmost leg of the U-shaped plate 14 is provided with a plurality of forwardly projecting stops, such as bolts 21. Stops 21 are operable to check rearward motion of the carriage 12 by contacting the forwardmostterminal ends of the bolts 21 with the rearward terminal side of the plate 17.

Referring again to the FIG. 1, the carriage 12 is controlled by a latching servomechanism 22. The servomechanism 22 is disposed at the lower portion of the U-shaped plate 14 within the frame 11. The servomechanism comprises a bellows 23, a spring 24, a plunger 25, and a servomechanism frame 26. The bellows 23 is upwardly directed within the servomechanism 22 and the frame 26, and. is supplied with pressure from a suitable source through a by-pass supply conduit 23' disposed in the bottom wall of plate 14, hereinafter later described. The spring 24 is a downwardly directed urging means mounted between the top plate 26' of the servomechanism frame 26 and the uppermost terminal side of the bellows 23. The plunger 25 is a substantially upstanding stem fastened to the uppermost terminal side of the bellows 23 within the spring 24. In practice, it has been found to advantage to provide a suitably fastened plunger guide rod 27 from the lowermost terminal end of the frame 11 to the uppermost terminal end of the frame 11 through the bellows 23, spring 24 and plunger 25. As shown more clearly in the FIG. 3, the carriage 12 is provided with a plate 28 fastened to the uppermost terminal sides of the bolts 16 and 16. The plate 28 is provided with a centrally disposed slot 29 to permit the carriage to slide about the stem 27. The

plunger 25 is provided on its uppermost terminal end with a plunger head 30. The plunger head 30 is operable to engage a downwardly projected dog 31 fastened to the lowermost side of the plate 28. In operation, pressure from a suitable source expands the bellows 23 resulting in an upward displacement of the plunger 25. In this upper position, the plunger head 30 engages the plunger 31, and checks rearward motion of the carriage assembly 12. As pressure reduces in the pressure source, the bellows 23 is collapsed by the downwardly urging spring 24. When the plunger 25 has been lowered by a sufficient amount, the head 30 disengages the dog 31, permitting the carriage. assembly 12 to move rearwardly.

Referring now to the FIG. 3, the valve assembly 13 includes a gas valve 32 and a fluid valve 33. The gas valve 32 comprises a pair of nipples 35 and 35' and a conduit 36. The nipple 35 is fastened to the rearward leg of the U-shaped plate 14. The conduit 36 is fastened to the nipple 35 and is dependingly carried through holes (not shown) in the forwardmost wall of the plate 14 and through holes in the plate 17 The nipple 35' is fastened to the conduit 36 on its end opposite the nipple 35. The nipple 35 projects distally forwardly of the forwardmost travel of the carriage assembly 12. As shown more clearly in the FIG. 6, the conduit 36 comprises a rigid conduit 37, a resilient conduit 38, and a conduit enclosure means 39. The rigid conduit 37 is closed at a point midway in the conduit 36 by a closure means, such as a solder 40. Holes 41 and 41' are disposed in the rigid conduit 37 on either side of the closure 40. The resilient conduit 38 is fastened over the rigid conduit 37 to cover the pair of holes 41 and 41. The conduit closure means 39, shown more clearly in the FIG. 3, comprises a roller 42 fastened rearwardly distally to the plate 17 by means of a stem 43. In operation, when the carriage 12 is in the forward or cocked position, the roller 39 is disposed forwardly on the resilient conduit 38 over a portion of the rigid conduit 37, not having holes. In this position, gas moving into the nipple 35' is conducted through the rigid conduit 37 through the forward hole 41 between the resilient conduit 38 and the rigid conduit 37 and returned through the hole 41 to the rigid conduit 37. The rigid supply conduit 23' is connected to the gas discharging portion of the conduit 37 at the nipple 35. When the servomechanism 22 has permitted the carriage 12 to move rearwardly, the roller 39 is disposed over the closed portion 40 of the conduit 36.

Referring again to the FIG. 3, the fluid valve 33 comprises a pair of nipples 43 and 44 and a flexible conduit 45. The nipple 43 is fastened to'the rearward leg of the plate 14 distally from its uppermost terminal end. The nipple 44 is fastened forwardly on the plate 17 distally from its uppermost terminal end. As shown more clearly in the FIG. 5, the nipples 43 and 44 are connected on their interiorly disposed portions by a flexible resilient conduit 45. The length of the conduit 45 is equal to the distance between the interior portions of the nipples 43 and 44 when the carriage is in its forwardmost cocked position, as shown by the FIG. 4. In operation, beer is permitted to travel through the flexible conduit45 in a straight linear path, as shown by the FIG. 4. As shown by the FIG. 3, when the carriage 12 is in the rearward closed position, the'conduit 45 is caused to kink or collapse distally from its midpoint as a result of the critically short distance between the nipples 43 and 44.

Thus, it may be seen that the carriage assembly 12, controlled by the servomechanism 22 as set out above, is operable to simultaneously close the gas valve 32 and the fluid valve 33 when the plate 17 moves to the rearward closed position of the assembly 12. This rearward closing motion of the carriage assembly 12 causes the gas valve 32 to be closed by the roller 42, fastened to the carriage plate 17, and to move relative to the conduit 38 to its closed position, as set out above. Simultaneously, the fluid valve 33 is closed when the nipple 44, carried in the carriage plate 17, is actuated rearwardly to kink or collapse the conduit 45 as set out above.

As shown by the FIG. 7, it is intended that the gas control beer dispenser be disposed between a commonly known carbon dioxide cylinder 46 and a beer keg 47. Gas flows from the cylinder 46 through a conduit 48 to the nipple 35, from the nipple 35 through a conduit 49 to the beer keg 47. Beer flows from the beer keg 47 through a conduit 50 through the nipple 43 and from the nipple 44 to a commonly known beer tap 51. Gas and beer will continue to flow for so long as the pressure in the cylinder remains high enough to maintain the bellows 23. When pressure falls below the amount of pressure required to maintain the bellows 23, the dispenser 10 will close simultaneously, causing the closure of the gas valve 32 and the fluid valve 33.

Having thus described in detail a preferred apparatus which embodies the concepts and principles of the invention and which accomplishes the various objects, purposes and aims thereof, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made in the apparatus without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. Hence, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A gas control beer dispenser, comprising a frame including a substantially U-shaped plate providing a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall to said frame, and including an enclosure plate fastened to the uppermost terminal ends of said U- shaped plate;

a carriage slidably carriedin said frame, said carriage 6 and a spring urging means operable to urge said carriage rearwardly with respect to said frames; a latching servomechanism disposed within said frame, said latching servomechanisms including an upwardly directed bellows mounted to the lower most terminal end of said U-shaped plate by means of a suitable servomechanism frame, a downwardly directed urging spring fastened between said servomechanism frame and the uppermost terminal'side of said bellows, a rod-like plunger fastened upstandingly from said bellows within said frame, and

a latching dog dependingly fastened from said c arriage bolts operable to engage the uppermost tersure having holes disposed on. each of its sides, said gas valve including a flexible resilient conduit covering said rigid conduit, a conduit closure means comprising a roller fastened distally from the rearward side of said carriage plate by means of a stem, said stem being operable to position said roller over said rigid conduit closure when said carriage is in its rearwardmost position; and

a fluid valve including a flexible resilient conduit fastened at one of its terminal ends to a nipple mounted in said rearward wall of said U-shaped plate, said flexible resilient conduit having its end opposite fastened to a nipple mounted forwardly in said carriage plate, said flexible conduit having a length substantially equivalent to the distance between said forward and rearward fluid valve nipples when said carriage is in its forwardmost position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said forward wall of said U-shaped plate includes a forwardly disposed stop operable to retain said carriage plate distally from said forward wall of said U-shaped plate when said carriage is in its rearward position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, including a guide means for said servomechanism plunger, said guide means comprising a suitable upstandingly disposed rod fastened between said bottom wall of said U-shaped plate and said enclosure wall through said plunger and said bellows. 

1. A gas control beer dispenser, comprising a frame including a substantially U-shaped plate providing a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall to said frame, and including an enclosure plate fastened to the uppermost terminal ends of said U-shaped plate; a carriage slidably carried in said frame, said carriage including a pair of carriage bolts disposed rectilinearly through holes in said frame and disposed substantially parallel to said enclosure plate, an upstanding transversely disposed plate fastened to the forwardmost terminal ends of said carriage bolts, and a spring urging means operable to urge said carriage rearwardly with respect to said frames; a latching servomechanism disposed within said frame, said latching servomechanisms including an upwardly directed bellows mounted to the lowermost terminal end of said U-shaped plate by means of a suitable servomechanism frame, a downwardly directed urging spring fastened between said servomechanism frame and the uppermost terminal side of said bellows, a rod-like plunger fastened upstandingly from said bellows within said frame, and a latching dog dependingly fastened from said carriage bolts operable to engage the uppermost terminal end of said plunger when said bellows is fully expanded; a gas valve including a rigid conduit fastened forwardly from said rearward wall of said U-shaped plate, said rigid conduit having a pair of nipples fastened at each of its terminal ends, said rigid conduit being closed at its midpoint, said rigid conduit closure having holes disposed on each of its sides, said gas valve including a flexible resilient conduit covering said rigid conduit, a conduit closure means comprising a roller fastened distally from the rearward side of said carriage plate by means of a stem, said stem being operable to position said roller over said rigid conduit closure when said carriage is in its rearwardmost position; and a fluid valve including a flexible resilieNt conduit fastened at one of its terminal ends to a nipple mounted in said rearward wall of said U-shaped plate, said flexible resilient conduit having its end opposite fastened to a nipple mounted forwardly in said carriage plate, said flexible conduit having a length substantially equivalent to the distance between said forward and rearward fluid valve nipples when said carriage is in its forwardmost position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said forward wall of said U-shaped plate includes a forwardly disposed stop operable to retain said carriage plate distally from said forward wall of said U-shaped plate when said carriage is in its rearward position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, including a guide means for said servomechanism plunger, said guide means comprising a suitable upstandingly disposed rod fastened between said bottom wall of said U-shaped plate and said enclosure wall through said plunger and said bellows. 